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How to Install Windows 11 on a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) Using Parallels Desktop

CDCD Keys Deal29 Oct 20263 min read
How to Install Windows 11 on a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) Using Parallels Desktop
In this guide
  1. What you need
  2. Step-by-step guide
  3. Tips to get the most out of it
  4. What works and what doesn’t
  5. Frequently asked questions

Got a Mac with Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4 or later) and need a program that only exists for Windows? With Parallels Desktop you can run Windows 11 on your Mac, side by side with macOS, without restarting. Boot Camp no longer exists on these Macs, and Parallels is the solution authorized by Microsoft. This guide walks you through everything, step by step.

The short version

  1. Install Parallels Desktop and activate it.
  2. Choose Download Windows 11 from Microsoft: Parallels downloads and installs the right version (ARM) by itself.
  3. Activate Windows with a Windows 11 Pro key in Settings → System → Activation.

What you need

  • A Mac with Apple silicon (check in the Apple menu → About This Mac: next to Chip you’ll see “Apple M…”).
  • At least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB to work comfortably) and about 60 GB free on your drive.
  • A Parallels Desktop licence.
  • A Windows 11 Pro key: Microsoft has authorized Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Parallels with Apple silicon Macs. A regular Windows 11 Pro key also activates the ARM version.

See Parallels Desktop 26   See Windows 11 Pro

Step-by-step guide

Follow the steps with the Next button. The screens are simplified: names may differ slightly depending on your Parallels version.

Check your Mac’s chip

Open the Apple menu → About This Mac. Next to Chip it should say “Apple M…”.

Make sure the chip is Apple M1 or later

FinderFileEditView
MacBook Air
13″, 2024
ChipApple M3
Memory16 GB
macOSSequoia

Install and activate Parallels Desktop

Download Parallels Desktop from the official website, install it, sign in with a Parallels account and enter the licence key you received by email.

Paste the key and click Activate

Parallels Desktop
Activate Parallels Desktop
Enter your license key

You’ll find it in your order email.

XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX
CancelActivate

Choose “Download Windows 11 from Microsoft”

The Installation Assistant opens (if it doesn’t, open Control Center and click +). Parallels downloads the right version of Windows 11 (ARM) straight from Microsoft.

Select Download Windows 11 from Microsoft and click Continue

Parallels Desktop
Installation Assistant
Create New Virtual Machine
Download Windows 11 from Microsoft
Install from an image file
Transfer from a PC
Download macOS
Continue

Install Windows and wait

Click Install Windows and accept the Microsoft licence agreement. Parallels downloads and installs everything by itself: it usually takes 20–40 minutes.

Leave the Mac on until Windows opens

Parallels Desktop
Windows 11
Downloading Windows 11…
3.1 GB of 5.4 GBabout 6 minutes

Open the activation settings

In Windows open Settings → System → Activation and click Change next to Change product key.

Click Change

Windows 11
Windows 11
Home
System
Bluetooth & devices
Network & internet
System › Activation
Activation stateNot active
Change product keyChange

Enter your Windows 11 Pro key

Type the Windows 11 Pro key you received by email and click Next, then Activate. If you get error 0xC004C008, use our Get CID tool.

Enter the key and click Next

Windows 11
Windows 11
Enter a product key

The product key is 25 characters long.

XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
CancelNext

Tips to get the most out of it

  • Coherence mode: Windows program windows appear right on your Mac desktop, as if they were macOS apps.
  • Shared folders: your Mac’s Desktop, Documents and Downloads are already accessible from Windows.
  • Performance: in Configure → Hardware you can give Windows more RAM and processors if you use heavy programs.
  • Keyboard: Parallels translates Mac shortcuts (⌘C, ⌘V) into their Windows equivalents.

What works and what doesn’t

Windows 11 for ARM runs regular Windows (x64) programs thanks to built-in emulation: Office, business software, design software and most apps work without problems. These, however, may not work:

  • some games with system-level anti-cheat;
  • programs that install their own drivers (some antiviruses, corporate VPNs, older printers or scanners).

Before you buy, check that the program you need works on Windows on ARM.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a Windows licence?

Yes. The Parallels licence and the Windows licence are separate: without activation, Windows runs with limitations and shows a watermark.

Can I use Windows 11 Home?

Microsoft has authorized Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Parallels with Apple silicon Macs: that’s why we recommend Windows 11 Pro.

What if my Mac has an Intel processor?

It works there too, but Parallels installs the regular (x64) version of Windows 11. The steps and the activation key are the same.

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